For over two decades, I have led communication, strategy  and social behaviour change initiatives across eight countries—helping governments, partners, and communities translate evidence into action. I bring a unique blend of expertise spanning social and behaviour change (SBC), strategic communications, marketing, and partnerships across eight countries in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific.

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Currently serving as Regional Advisor for Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) with UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa, I provide strategic direction and innovation leadership to 21 countries. My role centers on embedding participation, behavioural insights, and accountability to affected populations into national systems — ensuring development is not only data-driven but also deeply human. Here, I have spearheaded the creation of the Academia for SBC Network — a consortium of 24 universities across 16 countries — to institutionalize social and behaviour change within higher education and sustainable development.

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Before this, I led UNICEF India’s SBC portfolio, managing one of the organization’s largest communication teams and supporting the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination campaign — a response that reached nearly two billion people and was recognized with the Public Relations Society of India’s National “Pride of India” Award for its life-saving communication efforts.

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I have also held senior communication roles in Rwanda, South Sudan, Ghana and the Pacific Islands leading work that bridged emergency response, media engagement, youth participation and community-driven change.

My path to international development began in the private sector, working with leading communication and marketing agencies in South Asia, including Thompson Nepal (WPP Group), where I specialized in social marketing and brand strategy. Those formative years instilled an understanding of how storytelling, design and audience insight can move markets and mindsets alike. Later, I advised on many consultancies on communication, SBC and social marketing projects for organizations such as FHI360/USAID, GTZ and Population Services International (PSI) — experiences that grounded my approach to linking research, creativity and social impact.

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A co-author of Essentials for Excellence (E4E) — a global resource on researching and evaluating strategic communication — and the Guide on Child-Friendly Participation, I continue to contribute to the evolving field of development communication and participatory design. My current interests include the intersection of behavioural science, digital innovation and public policy with a focus on how communities themselves can co-create solutions to today’s most urgent challenges.

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Holding an MBA in Marketing and Advertising from Kathmandu University (Lancaster-affiliated) and leadership certifications from Harvard University and INSEAD Business School, I remain passionate about mentoring the next generation of communicators.

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At the core of my practice is a belief that sustainable change begins with trust, inclusion, and community-led accountability. Every communication strategy, every partnership, every campaign is an opportunity to affirm dignity and shared purpose.